Burmester 159 Mono Power Amplifier

Complimentary White Glove Delivery • Travel Reimbursement*

The Burmester 159 Mono Power Amplifier is the flagship of Burmester’s Signature Line and the ultimate expression of the company’s amplifier engineering. Developed as a dedicated monoblock rather than a stereo amplifier adapted for mono use, the 159 combines a fully balanced, direct-coupled signal path with 48 high-current output transistors, a 1.5 kVA power transformer, 200,000 µF of reservoir capacitance, copper heatsinks, advanced thermal management and adjustable damping factor.

Every 159 is dedicated to a single loudspeaker channel. Its output stage is constructed as two internally bridged amplifier sections, each driven by one half of the balanced audio signal. The architecture provides enormous power and current capability while maintaining the low noise, control and precision required of Burmester’s flagship amplifier.

The 159 is not simply designed to play louder. Its engineering is focused on maintaining composure, resolution and loudspeaker control regardless of musical dynamics or load complexity.

48 High-Current Output Transistors

The 159 uses an extraordinary output stage consisting of 48 output transistors per monoblock.

Internally, the output stage comprises two amplifier sections operating in bridged configuration. Each section contains 24 output transistors, with the loudspeaker connected between the two amplifier sections rather than between an output stage and conventional ground reference.

This architecture allows the 159 to operate as a dedicated balanced monoblock from input through output, with enormous current reserves available for demanding loudspeakers.

Massive Copper Heatsinks

Burmester mounts the 159’s output transistors to massive solid-copper heatsink blocks running vertically along each side of the amplifier.

Copper offers substantially greater thermal conductivity than aluminum, allowing heat generated by the output transistors to move rapidly through the heatsink structure.

The benefit goes beyond cooling. Maintaining similar temperatures across the entire bank of output devices helps the individual transistors operate under more consistent conditions, an important consideration when 48 devices must function together as a unified output stage.

Heat-pipe technology provides additional thermal transfer capability within the amplifier.

Advanced Thermal Management

Thermal stability was a major engineering focus during development of the 159.

The amplifier continuously monitors operating temperature and dynamically regulates quiescent current during warm-up. This allows the output stage to reach its intended operating condition quickly while maintaining stable electrical operating points as temperature changes.

Burmester developed specialized circuitry to perform this regulation while keeping the control system galvanically isolated from the audio circuitry.

The output transistors themselves incorporate additional connections that allow the amplifier to monitor their thermal condition individually.

Analog Protection Architecture

Rather than placing conventional digital processing circuitry inside its flagship analog amplifier, Burmester developed an analog monitoring system for the 159.

This circuitry continuously evaluates operating conditions within the output stage and helps protect the amplifier while avoiding the introduction of digital circuitry and its associated electrical noise into the chassis.

The approach reflects the broader design philosophy of the 159: sophisticated control and protection are present, but they are engineered around preservation of the analog signal environment.

1.5 kVA Power Transformer

The power supply is engineered around a massive 1.5 kVA transformer, giving each 159 monoblock a dedicated power supply approaching the practical limits of a conventional domestic electrical circuit.

That transformer is supported by 200,000 µF of reservoir capacitance, providing the amplifier with substantial stored energy for sudden musical transients and difficult loudspeaker loads.

Because every 159 powers only one loudspeaker channel, a stereo pair provides completely independent power supplies, grounding and output stages for the left and right channels.

Adjustable Damping Factor

One of the most distinctive features of the Burmester 159 is its adjustable damping factor.

Damping factor is directly related to an amplifier’s output impedance and affects the electrical relationship between amplifier and loudspeaker, particularly the amplifier’s control over driver movement.

Rather than assuming that maximum damping is appropriate for every loudspeaker, room and system, Burmester allows the 159’s damping behavior to be adjusted.

This gives a properly configured reference system another level of optimization, allowing the amplifier’s interaction with the loudspeaker to be tailored rather than fixed.

Fully Balanced, Direct-Coupled Architecture

The 159 maintains a fully balanced architecture throughout the amplifier and uses a direct-coupled signal path.

Its two internal output-stage sections each receive one half of the balanced audio signal and operate together as the final bridged output stage.

This architecture eliminates the need to convert the incoming balanced signal into a conventional single-ended internal topology and is fundamental to the 159’s dedicated monoblock design.

Reference System Integration

The 159 is designed for systems where amplification cannot be the limiting factor.

A stereo system requires two 159 monoblocks, providing complete physical and electrical separation between channels. Each loudspeaker receives its own 48-transistor output stage, 1.5 kVA transformer and 200,000 µF power reserve.

For large full-range loudspeakers with complex impedance curves and substantial current requirements, this architecture provides enormous reserves while maintaining independent power and grounding for each channel.

Technical Details

The architecture of the 159 is unusually sophisticated even by flagship amplifier standards. Burmester uses 48 output transistors, solid-copper thermal blocks, heat pipes, a 1.5 kVA transformer and 200,000 µF of reservoir capacitance in each monoblock. Its adjustable damping factor and analog output-stage monitoring system further distinguish it from Burmester’s other power amplifiers.

Burmester 159 at The Grid HiFi

The Grid HiFi in Houston specializes in Burmester Signature and Reference systems and world-class two-channel audio. A pair of 159 monoblocks belongs in a system designed without compromise, where the preamplifier, sources, loudspeakers, cabling, power infrastructure, room and installation are considered together.

At this level, amplifier and loudspeaker matching becomes particularly important. The 159’s adjustable damping factor, enormous current reserves and dedicated monoblock architecture give us the ability to optimize the amplification around the loudspeaker rather than simply connecting components together.

We can design the complete system around a pair of Burmester 159 amplifiers, including the appropriate Burmester preamplification and sources, reference loudspeakers, power delivery, cabling, equipment support and final system setup.

Complimentary White Glove Delivery • Travel Reimbursement*
Qualifying purchasers may receive airfare reimbursement for your private audition.
Considering the 159? Let’s build your dream system around it. Call (713) 218-8120.
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